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Applegate swims to Paralympic glory

Teenager Jessica-Jane Applegate took the 200m swimming gold medal for Great Britain in the women’s S14 freestyle final in a Paralympic record time last night (3rd September 2012).

Applegate, who has Asperger’s syndrome, won in a time of 2 minutes 12.63 seconds, ahead of Australian Taylor Corry.

On Sunday morning Applegate had qualified fastest after breaking her own British record. In the final, she swam a tactical race and was third at the final turn, before overhauling her rivals in the last 50 metres to touch home first.

The 16-year-old, who swims for the City of Norwich club, finished fourth in the 100m backstroke earlier in the Games.

Her victory also comes only a month after she had emergency surgery on her left foot, which initially had put her participation in the Games in doubt.

“I am ecstatic. I didn’t think I could do something like that,” Applegate told Channel 4.

“It means so much. I just want to thank my mum and my family and everyone who’s supported me. I’m on cloud nine at the moment.”